From everything I have read, you do not receive your documents back. They are sent to the comune of application and kept there. That's why I am ordering 2 of everything. Also, if i should send something off for apostille and it gets lost etc, I'll have a back up.

When I submitted my gf's birth certificate from Italy (in NY and again in Newark), I specifically told them I wanted it returned for my family records. They kept the copies. Remember that there is no need for them to keep originals of records that are already registered at the Italian comune.

Tell them you want those Italian records, and you'll likely get them back. Original naturalization certificates will also be returned.

Thank you everyone for your replies. Also, I have official birth certificates of my grandparents and marriage certificate that I received from the Town Hall, however, they are not entirely printed and all of the names/dates are hand written. They do, however, have the official stamp of the town and are notarized. Will the Consulate accept these documents?